Clamp for mirror and picture frames.



e. M. ROWLAND.

CLAMP FOR MIRROR AND PICTURE FRAMES.

APPLICATION FILED nc. 2|, 19:5.

LQQLBUL Patented Apr. 3,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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Attorney e. M. ROWLAND.

CLAMP FOR MIRROR AND PICTURE FRAMES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 21, HHS.-

Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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GLEN MELFORD ROWLAND, OF PORTLAND, OREGON.

CLAMP FOR MIRROR AND PICTURE FRAMES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

Application filed December 21, 1915. Serial No. 68,065.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GLEN M. ROWLAND, a citizen of the United States,residing at Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon,have invented a new and useful Clamp for Mirror and Picture Frames, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved clamp adapted for holding theframes of mirrors, pictures, and the like, while making the frames orworking upon the same, and has for an object to provide an improvedmechanism for binding clamps simultaneously against the opposite cornersof the frame, and for exerting pressure of these clamps on the frameuniformly at all corners thereof, and simultaneously, so as to preventthe bulging or springing of the frame sidewise under the clamping.action.

Another object of the present invention is to'provide a device which maybe very quickly and easily adjusted to frames of various widths andvarious lengths, and wherein the operating mechanism is controlled by asingle handle, which may be adjusted to accommodate the various widthsand lengths of frames. v

Briefly, the invention contemplates the provision of a pair of crossedmembers which are adjustably held at the desired angle across eachother, a lever for turning these cross members about a common pivot, andclamps adjustably connected eccentrically upon the cross members, sothat as the latter are turned the clamping members or elements arecontracted toward each other, so as to bind against a frame which may beplaced between them.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be brought out inthe following detail description of the present preferred embodiment ofthe invention, the same being disclosed in the accompanying drawings,wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved clamp, having aframe applied thereto, and being closed against the corners of theframe.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same, showing the clamp open to freethe frame.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken centrally through theclamp on the line of the adjustable guides, and showing a frame in placebetween the clamping elements.

I overhanging plates 1%,

Fig. 4 is a transverse section, enlarged, through one of the clampingelements, taken on the line el--1 of Fig.

1 Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view, enlarged, taken on the line 5-5of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view, enlarged, taken on the line 66 ofFig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary edge view, enlarged, of the table, showing therack applied thereto and the operating handle and pawl carried thereby.

Referring to these drawings, wherein like parts are designated bysimilar characters of reference throughout the several views, 10designates a table or base, which forms the body of the clamp, andwhich, in the present instance, is shown as being supported upon legs11. The base is provided with a pair of fixed radial guides 12, and apair of adjustable radial guides 13. The fixed and adjustable guides arearranged diametrically opposite to each other respectively for a purposewhich will hereinafter appear. Each guide, as may be best seen fromFigs. 41, 5 and 6, comprises an elongated channel member open at itstop, and provided upon its opposite flanges with the inner edges ofwhich extend beyond the inner walls of the flanges, and thus provide apartially closed channel in each guide. The guides 12 and 13 extendconsiderably beyond the outer peripheraledge of the table 10, whichlatter is preferably circular. In each of the guides 12and 13 is mounteda clamping element. The clamping element is made up of an innerconnecting block 15 bored at its outer end to receive the inner end ofan adjusting rod 16, which is threaded, but which is free to rotate inthe bore of the connecting block 15. A transverse pin or key 17 issecured through the block 15 and enters a groove 18 in the side of therod 16 for'anohoring the inner end of the rod in the block. Thus, anylongitudinal movement of the rod 16 moves the block 15 therewith. Asupporting block 19 of substantially inverted T-shape is fitted in thechannel of each guide, and is provided with a threaded longitudinalbore, for the reception of the outer end of the rod 16 therethrough, tosupport the rod, and cause the same to feed longitudinally through theblock 19.

The clamping element also includes, as may be best seen from Figs. 3 and4 of the drawings, a shiftable plate 20 provided upon its under sidewith a depending T-shape tongue 21, fitting in the channel of the guide,and held therein by the strips or plates 14:. The threaded rod 16 passeslongitudinally through the tongue 21, and engages in threaded relationtherewith, so as to move the tongue longitudinally in the guide and thusshift the plate 20 radially with respect to the table or base 10. Theplate 20 is provided, at an intermediate point therein, with a threadedsocket or bore into which is detachably threaded a pin 22, upon which isrotatably'mounted a'clamping plate 23. The clamping plate 23 is adaptedto rest upon the upper face of the plate 20, and to be turned thereuponinto any desired angle in the adjustment and application of the device.The clamping plate 23 may be quickly lifted upwardly from the plate 20,and from engagementwith the pin 22, for the purposes of removing,turning over or replacing the clamping plate. From Figs. 1 and 2, itwill be noted that this clamping plate 23 is provided at one end with aconcave edge formed on the arc of a relatively large circle, and whichis adapted for engagement with the outer rounded corner of a frame. Theopposite end of this clampingplate 23 is provided with a notched portionor a rectangular recess, the walls of which are convex and extend-in thegeneral direction of the outer corners of the plate. This formationadapts this end of the plate 23 to angular corners of frames, as isclearly shown in the accompanying drawings.

The adjustable guides 13 are mounted upon the opposite ends of adiametrically extendingbar 24:, which is pivotally mounted at itsintermediate portion upon a pivot pin 25, which is located centrally ofthe base or table 10, and which projects upwardly therefrom. The bar 24is adapted to rest flat upon the upper surface of the table 10, and

is adapted to turn about the pivot pin 25, so as to adjust the oppositemovable guides 13 toward and from the guides 12, which are preferablystationarily mounted upon the I base or table 10. The outer end of eachof the adjusting rods 16 is provided with a crank'handle 26 fixed to therod and adapted to turn the same,'so that the operator, by rotating thecrank handle 26 may turn the rod and move the supporting block 19, andthe tongue 21 longitudinally in the guide. Ar-

ranged centrally upon the table 10 is a pair of crossed arms 27 and 28,the same being pivotally mounted upon the pivot 25, and arranged abovethe adjustable bar 24. One of the crossed arms, the arm 27, is fixed toan operating handle or lever 29, and is preferably integral therewith,as shown to ad vantage in Figs. 1 and 2, and as comprising an offsetextension or portion thereof at the inner end of the lever 29. Thecrossed arms 27 and 28 are hingedly connected, by means of bolts 30 orthe like, with the inner ends of radiating links 31, the latter beinghinged upon the arms at the opposite sides of the pivot 25, so as toimpart an eccentric action or movement to the inner ends of the links31, when the crossed arms 27 and 28 are rotated about the central pivot25. The outer ends of these links 31 have hinged connection with theconnecting blocks 15, which are carried in the inner ends of the guides12 and 13. With this construction, it is readily seen that any rotationof the crossed arms 27 and 28 operates the links 31 to draw theconnecting blocks 15 inwardly toward the central pivot 25. Normally, theblocks 15 and the links 31 are adapted to extend in the longitudinalplane of the respective pair of guides 12, or 13, so that the blocks arein their outermost positions in the guides. lVhen the fiXGd arm 27 is inthis position, as shown in Fig. 2, the lever 29 lies close to and inparallelism with the adj aeent adjustable guide 13. The adjustable guide13 may be swung into any desired angle about the pivot point 25, and thelever 29 always assumes this same parallel position with respectthereto. However, as the angular relation between the fixed guides 12and the movable guides 13 is changed for difierent widths and lengths offrames, it is necessary to turn the movable arm 28 into various anglesacross the fixed arm 27. so as to dispose the movable arm 28 inlongitudinal alinement with its fixed guides 12. To admit of thisadjustment of the crossed arms 27 and 2S, and to then secure both ofthese arms rigidly to the operating handle 29, an adjusting link 32 ispivotally mounted upon one end of the movable arm 28, while the oppositeend of the link is adjustably fixed to the hand lever 29, by means of apin 33 adapted to engage in any one of a series of openings 34:, whichare formed in the link, and which are adapted to register with the pinopening in the lever. It will be noted, from Figs. 1 and 2, that theadjusting link 32 preferably extends in a longitudinal line with thelever 29, and that the end of the adjustable arm 28, which carries thelink 32, extends beyond the inner side of the fixed arm 27, so as toadmit of the swinging of the lever 29 close to the adjacent guide 13.

The edge of the table 10 beneath the lever 29 is provided with anupstanding rack bar 35, the same being secured against the edge of thetable and having the teeth thereof lying below the plane of the topsurface of the table to admit of the free adjustment of the guides 13about the pivot pin 25. The lever 29 is provided with a depending pawlor so directed as to hold the lever 29 in its outermost position, or inclamping position,

iii

as shown in Fig. 1. To release the lever, it is only necessary to raisethe same upwardly to spring the pawl 36 out of engagement with the rack35 and to then hold the lever in such upward position while allowing itto move back toward the adjacent guide 13. In the drawings a frame 37 isdisclosed as being secured in the improved clamp, the frame having therectangular corners 38 at one end and the rounded corners 39 at itsopposite end.

It will be noted from Figs. 1 and 2 that the upper faces of theoverhanging plates or strips 14 are provided with graduations 40,adapted to indicate the relative longitudinal positions of the plates 20upon the guides, which position determines the size of the framesupported upon the clamp.

In. the use of this improved clamp, it is only necessary to measure theframe diagonally, or from one angular corner 38 to the opposite curvedcorner 39, and to measure off one half of this length upon each of thescales or graduations 40., by moving the plates 2O inwardly from theouter ends of their respective guides. The clamping plates 23 are nowturned so as to dispose their curved or angularly notched edges to therespective corners 39 and 38 of the frame 37, so as to accommodate andfit close against these corners. The lever 29 is now swung inwardlyagainst the adjacent guide 13, as shown in Fig. 2. The adjustable arm 28is now swung into longitudinal alinement with the fixed guides 12. Thelink 32, which must necessarily be released during the adjustment of themovable arm 28, is then secured to the lever 29 by the pin 33, to thussecure the crossed arms in fixed relation to each other and to the lever29. Prior to the adjustment of these crossed arms, the adjustable guides13 are swung about the pivot point 25 in opposite directions toaccommodate the width of the frame 37. The adjustable guides 13 are heldfrom spreading from the fixed guides 12, when tension is placed upon theframe, by a peg 41, which is inserted in any one of a plurality of rowsof staggered sockets or openings 42 formed in the upper face of thetable 10, adjacent the edge thereof, and adapted to be traversed by theadjacent adjustable guide 13. Thus, any spreading of the guides 13 fromthe guides 12 results in the adjacent guide 13 engaging the peg 41, sothat further movement of the guides 13 is prevented. The adjustableguides 13 are further held in place, and steadied, by means of dependingstuds 43, which project downwardly into arcuate recesses or slots 44formed in the upper face of the table 10, concentric to the pivot pin25.

After these adjustments have been made, the frame 37 is seated down inbetween the clamping plates 23, and upon the supporting plates 20. Thehandle 29 is now grasped and drawn away from the adjacent guide 13.

This movement swings the crossed arms 27and 28 simultaneously about thepivot pin 25, so as to produce an eccentric action or pull upon thelinks 31 and consequently draw the same inwardly and simultaneously tocontract the clamping elements mounted in the respective guides, and tobind the clamping plates thereof against the four corners of the frame.When the desired tension is placed upon the frame 37, the handle 29 isreleased and the pawl 36 drops into engagement with the rack bar 35 tolock the lever or handle 29 in position.

From the above it is observed that the present invention provides aclamp which may be quickly adjusted by the peg 41 and crank handle 26 toframes of different widths and heights, and provides a clamp wherein thefour, or more, clamping elements employed are actuated simultaneously tobind evenly and from opposite directions toward each other by a singleoperating handle or lever. It will be noted, that the device is onecomprising relatively few parts, which are peculiarly arranged for thisoperation and coaction, and which may be manufactured at a relativelylow cost.

It is, of course, understood that various modifications and changes maybe made in the detail construction of the present described device,without departing from the spirit of the invention, and being restrictedonly by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is I 1. A clamp comprising relatively movable guides, aclamping element in each guide, a pair of crossed arms movablerelatively to each other whereby they can be adjusted according to themovement of the guides, conncctions between said crossed arms and saidclamping elements, and means connected to said arms to turn the samesimultaneously to contact the clamping elements.

2. A clamp comprising a table, radial guides arranged upon the table forarcuate adjustment toward and from each other, a rotary member pivotallymounted centrally upon the table, an operating handle con nected to themember for turning the same, a clamping element in each of said guides,links connecting the opposing clamping elements to said member in pairsto draw the elements inwardly upon the turning of the member, and meansproviding for simulta neous adjustment of a pair of the link connectionswith said member into line with said guides when adjusted.

3. A clamp comprising a table, a pair of opposed fixed radial guides onthe table, a pair of opposed adjustable radial guides connected togetherand pivoted centrally upon the table, an adjustable peg carried by thetable for engagement with one of the adjustable guides to hold the samefrom movement when adjusted, a pair of crossed arms pivoted centrallyupon the table, one arm being adapted to normallv lie in longitudinalalinement with the fixed guides, and the opposite arm being adapted tonormally lie in line with the adjustable guides, clamping elements inthe guides, links connecting the clamping elements to the opposite endsof said arms, means for adjustably connecting said arms together, and alever connected to said arms to turn the same simultaneously about saidcentral pivot, whereby to move said clamping elements simultaneouslyinward.

A. A clamp comprising a body, guides radiating from the central portionof the body, rotatable means pivoted centrally upon the body, clampingelements connected to said rotatable means adapted to be simultaneouslydrawn toward the center of the bodyupon the rotation of said means, andclamping plates mounted to freely turn on said clamping elements forautomatic adjustment against the corners of the frame and having angularand curved notches in their opposite ends for engagement respectivelywith the angular and rounded corners of the frame.

5. A clamp comprising a body, opposed pairs of guides relativelyadjustable and radiating on the body, clamping elements slidable in theguides and being arranged in pairs for movement toward and from eachother,-an arm arranged in longitudinal alinement between each pair ofguides and having connection at its opposite ends with said clampingelements, a pivot pin connecting the intermediate crossed portions ofsaid arms whereby they can be adjusted relatively to each other, and alever connected to said arms to rotate the same simultaneously aboutsaid pivot pin, and to contract all of said clamping elementssimultaneously.

' 6. A clamp comprising a body, radiating guides mounted on the'body,clamping elements movable radially in the guides, an

' arm arranged in longitudinal alinement between each pair of opposedguides, a pivot pm connectmg the crossed lntermediate por- Copies ofthis patent may be obtained for tions of the arms a lever connected toone of said arms, said guides being adjustable angularly upon the bodywith respect to said pivot pin, whereby to'adjust the guides toward andfrom each other, a connection between the clamping elements and theadjacent ends of said arms, and a link adjustably connecting said armstogether to hold the same for simultaneous turning movement and admit ofthe adjustment of the arms according to the positions of the radialguides.

7. A clamp comprising a body, radial guides mounted on the body inopposed pairs, a pair of crossed arms pivoted centrally upon the bodyand adapted to extend in longitudinal alinement with each pair of radialguides, slidable blocks mounted in the inner ends of said guides, linkshinged to the blocks at one end and hinged at their inner ends to theopposite ends of said arms, means for adjusting the guides angular-1yabout the pivot, means permitting adjustment of said crossed armsangularly to aline with the adjusted guides, and clamping elementsmounted in the outer ends of the guides and having adjustable connectionwith said connecting blocks to accommodate articles of various sizes.

8. A clamp comprising a body, radial guides, on the body adjustableangularly about the central portion of the body, clamping elementsslidable longitudinally in the guides, and a pair of crossed armspivoted centrally upon the body between the guides and having connectionat their opposite ends with the adjacent clamping elements, means forturning said arms simultaneously about the pivot to contract theclamping elements, and means for adjusting said arms into differentangular relations to correspond to the adjustment of said guides.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have heretoaffixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GLEN MELFORD ROWLAND.

Vitnesses 'MroHAnL Fnnrennenn,

ALLEN A. BUCK.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington,D. C.

